Thanksgiving is all about generosity and giving - so of course, you want to know what Thanksgiving food is safe to share with your dogs!
However, Our pups have much more sensitive digestive systems than we do and can't process the same foods we can. This results in Thanksgiving often coming with an increase in vet visits due to dogs consuming unsafe food items.
Because of this, we have provided lists of both safe and unsafe Thanksgiving food items and Thanksgiving safety tips for your dog to make sure they have a fun and safe holiday.
Safe Thanksgiving Food for Dogs
First things first, while the following foods are considered safe, there are considerations to keep in mind. The following foods are safe as long as they do not contain any added ingredients or seasonings (like butter or spices). You should also be sure to provide these foods as you do with any yummy thing - in moderation.
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are one food item that both dogs and humans benefit from summarily! They are high in fiber to help out the digestive system and are a great source of dietary fiber, vitamin B6, and vitamin C.
Turkey Meat (without bones or skin)
Your dog can have some of Thanksgiving's most iconic main course! Just be sure only to give them meat - no bones or skin. Rich in nutrients like protein, riboflavin, and phosphorous and low in fat.
Green Beans
Make sure to provide green beans raw! They provide a crunchy snack with few calories. They also provide plant fiber, iron, manganese, and vitamins C and K.
Butternut Squash
Cooked, plain Butternut Squash can be a fun option for feeding your dog.
Pumpkin Puree
Sugar-free, canned pumpkin puree is a tasty and helpful fall treat your dog can have. Pumpkin is incredibly helpful to digestion and adds beneficial nutrients to your pup’s diet. Pumpkins are packed with important nutrients, including beta-carotene, zinc, iron, vitamin A, E, and C, and potassium.
Cranberries
Cranberries can be a pretty polarizing food, so don't be offended if your dog ends up not liking them. However, some dogs can't get enough of them! Cranberries are a great source of fiber, vitamin E, and magnesium. Just be sure only to give cranberries and not cranberry sauce which is full of extra sugar.
Apple Slices
While your dog has to skip the apple pie, they can enjoy any leftover apple slices! Apple slices are a great source of fiber and act as antioxidants. Just be sure to give them slices so they do not eat the core or any seeds.
Un-Safe Thanksgiving Food for Dogs
Be sure to monitor what foods your dog can access and warn guests not to feed them any food without your knowledge. Some of the foods on this list are riskier than others, but it's best to avoid them all to save yourself a vet visit during the holidays.
Homemade Thanksgiving Dog Treats
If you would rather make some thanksgiving goodies for your dog yourself to save the worries and include them in the big feast, try out some of these DIY Thanksgiving dog treat recipes! These treats also make for a great gift as a dinner guest - you'll be sure to become the family dog's favorite!
Each recipe is easy to make and utilizes many of the ingredients that you may be already using for your own Thanksgiving meal.
Sweet Potato Dog Treats
Ingredients: One sweet potato – baked and peeled, One cup of tapioca flour, One egg, One tablespoon of honey
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Begin with preheating the oven to 325 degrees.
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Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl and make a sturdy dough – you may need to add a teaspoon of water if the dough is too dry or a bit more flour if it is too wet.
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Roll the dough out until it is about as thick as half an inch. Use cookie cutters or a can top to make the dough into shapes.
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Bake for 10 minutes. Let them cool before giving them to your dog.
Grain-free mini-turkey MUFFINS
Ingredients: One large egg, coconut oil, one pound of lean turkey meat, a half cup of finely ground almond flour, a half cup of pumpkin puree, a half cup of frozen peas and carrots
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Begin with preheating the oven to 350 degrees
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Grease two mini muffin tins with your coconut oil
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Mix all of the ingredients together using a fork until combined
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Pour the muffin mixture into the muffin tins
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Bake for 20 minutes. Let cool before giving to your dog.
Low-Fat Apple Oatmeal Dog Treats
Ingredients: One ripe banana, one shredded carrot, one cup of oats, one and a half cups of whole wheat flour, a one-eighth cup of water, and one-fourth cup of unsweetened applesauce
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Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees
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Combine the carrots and banana by mashing them together
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Add in water and applesauce
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Stir in the oats and add flour until the dough takes form
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Sprinkle your countertop with whole wheat flour and roll out the dough until it is about a half-inch thick
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Use a cookie cutter or can top to form the dough into biscuit shapes
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Place biscuits onto a lightly greased cookie sheet
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Bake for 25 minutes, then turn off the heat. Let them remain in the turned-off oven for 1-3 hours to further dehydrate them for a crunch your dog will love!
Want to give your dog a fall-themed treat but want to skip the extra baking? Suzie's has you covered. Try out a bag of our 4 mg Pumpkin Biscuits or our 8 mg Pumpkin Bones for some yummy fall goodness without the hassle.
Thanksgiving Dog Saftey
While you have this list of safe and non-safe Thanksgiving food for dogs, you may have guests that do not have the same knowledge. Don’t forget to inform your family and dinner guests about these potentially dangerous or toxic foods for pets, so they do not feed them to your four-legged family members.
Some pups may get anxious and act out during this busy holiday. If you need them to feel a bit safer in their environment to be on their best behavior, you may want to give them some CBD treats! Be sure to give your dog CBD treats at least 30 minutes before the arrival of guests and provide more as needed throughout the day.
If you think your pup may be able to get to scraps dropped by any children or clumsy guests, you may want to consider keeping your dog in another room or at bay with a pet gate for safety.
